Annual Catholic Appeal
ACA Ministries bring the love of Jesus Christ to men, women and
children in our Diocese. Thank you for your support!
Click on this link for a glance at how the diocese stewards its financial resources: Where Does Your ACA Gift Go?
Now you can make your gift by clicking on the blue "Donate Today" tab in the right margin or print and mail this ACA Pledge Card.
Your ACA pledge can be fulfilled in monthly payments through our EFT (electronic giving) option. It allows you to make pledge payments directly from your checking account. Please review our EFT Authorization Form for details. Since making this pledge fulfillment option available in 2004, we have successfully processed 16,261 monthly withdrawals with a total gift value of $1.2 million. This modern-day pledge fulfillment option has saved the Diocese $8,700 in printing and postage expenses alone.
Parishes receive full credit for all ACA gifts made on or before December 31. All contributions exceeding your parish's goal are returned to the parish for its particular needs.
The ACA is currently administered by Chris Ringkamp, Development Director, who can be reached at (814) 695-5577, extension 2686, or via e-mail at ringkamp@dioceseaj.org.
Campaign History
Although calls for support can be traced to both the Old and New Testaments, the current Diocesan annual campaign began with the Diocesan Development Fund (DDF) in 1980, more than 30 years ago. The DDF was temporarily suspended during Bishop Hogan's Silver Anniversary capital campaign of 1985-1987.
The campaign was re-established as a Diocesan assessment in 1988 by both the Diocesan Finance and Presbyteral (Priests') Councils to fund operating expenses of previously unavailable ministries within the eight counties of the Church of Altoona-Johnstown.
The Diocese, through the Development Office, conducts a direct mail campaign in which parishioners can help the parish meet its ACA assessment, while supporting Diocesan ministries at the same time. All gifts received through December 31 are credited toward your parish's portion of the Diocesan Goal.
Parishes keep 100% of "over goal" receipts. The majority of parishes that exceed goal every year attach a special parish project to the campaign. Such "over goal" receipts have begun new parish-based ministries or were invested in physical plant deferred maintance projects. To learn how Diocesan and parish campaign goals are calculated, please click here.
Promotional expenses for the ACA are held to fewer than 3¢ for every dollar raised. This means that 97% of your gift directly supports many essential ministries and those among us who depend on them for spiritual nourishment or temporal assistance. Only through the generosity of all Catholics are the Diocesan ministries able to advance the mission of Jesus Christ to their maximum potential.
New or additional gifts may be made through your parish, or through the Development Office by using this ACA Pledge Card. We are grateful for your ongoing support!
PARISH APPEAL RESOURCES
Parish Campaign Guidebook (PDF)
